Pedal actuated electric switch



W. C. FURNAS ETAL PEDAL ACTUATED ELECTRIC SWITCH Sept. 20, 1949.

Filed NOV. 29, 1946 A TTORMEYS.

Patented Sept. 20, 1949 PEDAL ACTUATED ELECTBIQSWI'IQH "William"C. Furnas,; Batavia, and Edwin Schu- .-macher, Aurora, Z -I'IL, assignors to EumassElecwtl lc zcornpany, -Batavia, 111., a, zcnlznomtiqn of L-Illinois hpplieatiqn November 29, 1946; s dat v -#125972 :9 Claims. :1

The present irwerition rel'atesgenerallyto improvements iinelectric switch assemblages, and relates more :particularly to various improvements in'ithe construction and ioperation iof med-a1 or lever actuatedswitches.

A primary obj eat of our invention is to :provide an improved new and-usefulpedalaetuatedsswitch assembly which is extremely simple, compact and durable in construction, :and which is :moreover highly -efiicient in operation.

Anotherspecificobjeot of ourpresent invention is to provide an improved pedal actuated switch assemblage wherein the operating pedal or lever is 1oekedin position ina simp1eand novelmanner.

Another specific object or this I invention is to provide an improved imanually operable pedal actuated switch which I consists of relatively F few parts, an of which may be -=readily *constructed, and which may be quickly-and easily-assembled and dismantled.

Another specific object of theinvention-=is to provide an improved pedal actuated switch unit which is neatarrd highly attractive-in appearance and which is furthermore quickly and conveniently manipulableandipositive, dependable and rapid in action.

An additional specific obj'eet '"of our invention is to provide "various improvements in the constructionland operation of 'pefdalactuated switch ass'emblages,jwherebyjthe cost of constructionof such 'devices is reduced to "a'min'imum, and the efficiency and utility thereof is enhanced to 'a maximum.

t A further specific object "offthe fprEsentfiuvention, isfto provide a pedal actuated SWltChfOf' im-a proved construction whereinithe actuating pedal or Llever is'longitudinally insertiblethroughia ful crum slot "or 'openingin -the main switch casing, the lever ,beingllocked in position within the slot by simple and novel means cooperating 'withfthe casing.

'Ifheseand other specificnbjfectsand advantages of our presentflimprovemen't will'beapparent from the 'following detailed description.

v "A clear-conceptiono'f, atypica1 embodiment of the invention, and of lthe mode of constructing andsof utilizing-pedal actuated switch assemblages built in accordance with the improvement, may be had by referring'tothe drawing accompanying and forming-a ,partpf this-speci'fication wherein like reference characters designate the same or similar partsjinitheseveral views.

fFia'l is ep'v iew' i oneof t pimpq zp da actuated electric switches "embodying the invention with the casing cover removed;

Fig.2 isa longitudinal vertical seetion' through theswitch-assemblage, takenialong the irregular -line '2-2 'of Fi-gtfl, ami showing the cover in normalpos'ition andthe aetuating pedal in active position with the contacts closed Fig. 3 is a transverse verticalsection through the switch unit,-;talen=along the line 3- 3 of Fig. 1, and likewise showing 'the: cover in' n'ormal position and thecontaetsrelosed;

Fig.4 is a transverse vertical section through the switch: assemblage, takenalong f the irregular line ll 'of Figjm and Fig. 5 is 'a fragmentary top view, showing the manner in which the actuatingpedal-is fulcrumed and locked in position within t'he-slot of fihe main casing wall.

While the invention has been'shownand described herein as being especially "embodied in a pedal actuated electric -sjvith of a particular design, it is not-our desire or intention to thereby unnecessarily limit or restrict the scope and utility of the improvement to -suchspecific=ernbo diment.

Referring to the drawing; the improved pedal actuated: switch shown thereincomprises, in generaL-amainouter cup-shaped casing 10 mounted on abase-or=supporti plate l I inany suitable manner, as ""byj rivets -11; an insulating switch contact support pr carrier-block 43 formed of insulating material -*and=being *removably secured to a substantially --U shaped -meta1 supporting bracket-1' 4 by'mea-nsof screws lBIthe bracRet l4 being-rigidly secured to an iniier wall of the casing -11) by welding or the like; a plurality of spaced -apart fi-xed -nontacts ""6 *rigidly =mounted in *the contact supportingfbloe'k le and having terminal attaching serews -ffl -a like number of similarly spacedjmovable contacts 18, each :pair of which are carriedfby {all upper portion of a vertically 'movable pull'lro'd 01" carrierbar -l9 having a side ndtehfIMforrring an abutment 2l a plate22 -or braeket "n eniber Z-Z rigidly supported by the block "l'3 'as by a screw 723, the block 13 and plate '22 *eah havir -g -'-a :series of vertically alined similar *slots fl, Q5, respectively, adapted toreeeive the rods l'fi for--guiding the same during vertical niovement there'dfj relativly light compression springs 26 embracing -*-each of the rods [9 andinterposed between thecontacts l8 thereof and the plate ffl, for eonstaritly urging the respective pairs "of movable eontaets 1 8 toward the corresponding -'eontacts W8; a vswitch actuating lever for pedikfi'l-fhawging a relatively wide'aetuating; portion 23 cp'nnecte'dtto a'reduced switch aetuating*-poricn 2%bya fiilerum portion 3 0 which hermally z'eoasts' with tan 1 elongated r slot 3| formed in the wall 32 of the main casing a helical compression spring 33 interposed between the reduced portion 29 of the pedal 21 and the plate 22, the extreme end of the portion 29 of the pedal extending beyond the spring 33 and into the notches for coaction with the abutments 2| of the rods IS; a locking plate 34 adapted to be secured to the casing wall 32 by a screw 35 and having at its lower end a pair of prongs 36 cooperating with the fulcrum portion 39 of the pedal 21 and with the slot 3| of the casing wall 32 to normally hold the pedal in normal position within the slot 3|, while the upper end of the plate 34 is provided with a flange 31 directed toward the switch assembly; and an inverted cup-shaped cover 38 for the casing 59 adapted to be secured in place thereon by a screw 39 threaded in the flange 31 of the plate 34.

The end of the actuating portion 28 of the pedal 2'? adjacent the fulcrum portion 30 forms shoulders 49 and the end of the reduced pedal portion 29 adjacent the fulcrum portion 30 is provided with integral laterally projecting ears or lugs 4|, the shoulder 40 and ears 4| cooperating with the fulcrum portion to form notches 42. The pedal 21 may also preferably be formed with slip preventing ribs 43 .on the actuating portion 28 thereof and with a bumped out portion on the reduced portion 29 to form a centering projection 44 for the spring 33. To reinforce the sheet metal pedal 21 adjacent the fulcrum portion 30, a rib 45 is formed longitudinally of the pedal as by stamping, and the slot 3| formed in the wall 32 is of sufficient length to permit passage of the ears 4| therethrough but not the shoulders 40 and is formed with a central arched portion 46 to receive the rib 45.

As hereinabove indicated, the contact carrier block I3 is preferably formed of insulating material, and the fixed contacts |6 may be molded directly therein. The several other elements of the assemblage, including the main casing I9, base supporting bracket |4, movable contacts I8, carrier bars l9, plate 22, lever 21, looking plate 34, and cover 38, may all be readily formed of sheet metal or the like with the aid of punches and dies. The conductors may be introduced into the enclosure afforded by the main casing in and cover 38 through a rubber grommet 41 or the like provided in a side wall of the casing, and may be connected to the proper contacts by means of the terminal screws 1. The base may be provided with openings 48 for effecting ready attachment of the switch unit to a support by means of screws or the like, and the spring 33 should be considerably stronger than the combined strength of the springs 26.

The operating pedal or lever 21 may be readily positioned and locked in place as follows: With the plate 34 removed, the narrow portion 29 of the lever 21 is inserted longitudinally within the slot 3| of the casing wall 32, the reinforcing rib 45 also serving to guide the portion 29 and the ears 4| thereof through the slot 3| until the shoulders 40 of the pedal portion 28 abut the wall 32. During this insertion of the lever within the slot 3|, suitable means may be used to compress the spring 33 so that the extreme end of the portion 29 may pass freely within the notches 20 of the rods I9; and when the lever has been finally positioned as aforesaid, the spring 33 may be released and maintained in proper position between the plate 22 and portion 29 of the lever 21 by means of the projecting head of the screw 21 and the centering projection 44 on the lever,

thereby forcing the extreme end of the portion 29 of the lever against the abutments 2| of the several rods l9. With the lever 21 thus finally positioned with the shoulders 40 thereof against the wall 32, the locking plate 34 is inserted vertically with the prongs 36 thereof passing into the notches 42 of the lever 21 between the ears 4| and. the wall 32, thereby locking the lever 2'! against longitudinal withdrawal. The locking plate 34 may then be secured in effective position to the wall 32 of the casing ID by means of the screw 35, and the cover 38 may thereafter be positioned and secured to the flange 31 of the plate 34 by means of the screw 39.

With the switch unit assembled and the lever 21 locked in the fulcrum slot 3| as hereinabove described, the relatively heavy compresion spring 33 constantly urges the portion 29 of the lever downwardly against the abutments 2| of the rods l9; and since the spring 33 is stronger than the combined strength of the springs 26 which constantly urge the rods |9 upwardly, these rods l9 are normally maintained in lowermost position by the action of the spring 33 and lever 21, the contacts |8 being maintained out of engagement with the fixed contacts. When it is desired to actuate the switch, the actuating portion 28 of the lever 21 is normally moved downwardly against the base H as shown in Fig. 2, the lever 21 thereby being tilted about its fulcrum portion 3|] with the spring 33 being compressed by the portion 29 of the lever which is moved upwardly away from the abutments 2| of the rods |9 within the notches 20 thereof. As the end of the lever is thus moved away from the abutments 2| of the rods l9, these rods are lifted by the action of the compression springs 26, carrying the movable contacts 18 therewith into engagement with the fixed contacts l6 to close the circuit. As long as the pedal or lever 21 is in the position shown in Fig. 2, with the pontion 28 urged downwardly and the portion 29 raised to compress the spring 33, the contacts l8, l6 will remain closed by the action of the springs 26; but upon release of pressure on the pedal portion 28, the force of the spring 33 will overcome the combined opposing force of the springs 26 and will lower the rods l9 by returning the lever to normal position about its fulcrum portion 30, the extreme end of the portion 29 of the lever coacting with the abutments 2| of the rods IE to impart the spring pressure thereto.

During operation of the switch unit as hereinabove described, the ribs 43 on the pedal or lever 21 form a roughened gripping surface, and the longitudinal rib 45 serves to reinforce the lever at the fulcrum portion 30. The screw 23 and projection 44 on the lever 21 cooperate with the spring 33 to maintain this spring in position between the bracket 22 and reduced portion 29 of the lever, and the rods |9 are guided throughout vertical movement therof in the slots 24, 25 of the block I3 and plate 22, respectively. The lever 21 is efiectively retained within the fulcrum slot 3| of the casing wall 32 by the plate 34, the prongs 36 of which cooperate with the ears 4| of the lever 21 and the wall 32 of the casing III to prevent longitudinal withdrawal of the lever from the fulcrum slot; and the plate 34 may be readily removed with the cover 38, if desired, by merely removing the screw 35 and lifting the cover, or the cover may be removed independently of the locking plate 34 by removing the screw 39 and raising the cover while the'screw 35 remains in place.

From the 'ioreg-ci-ng detdiled"description; it is apparent that thexpresent ihventionprovidesan improved pedal operated switch assemblage which is extremely-simple,-compact and durable in construction, and which is moreover highly efficient ,in operation. The improved unit is composed ofrelatively few parts which may be readily assembled anddismantled,and the switch is extremely fiexi-ble in it adaptations. -All-of the elements of theassem-blage arereadily accessible for inspection, adjustment and/or-repai-r and all parts "may be readilyconstruoted of standard materials. The operating lever -21 isef fectively locked in position within the-fulcrum-slot '3 I in a simple and efficient manner and may bequickly and easily withdrawn from the slot upon-removal of a single screw and the cover 38-, this screw 35 also serving to'secu' e-;eove'r and plate 34 in position. "The imp d witch is neat and attractiveifl appearanee aildi'os'itive, dependable and rapid in action. Switch assemblages embodying the invention have provn highly satisfactory in actual use, hfnd fiiay' be marniraetared and sold at moderate cost sin'cemest hfthe 'elements may be formed of sheet metal with the aid of punches and dies.

Whi'le the invention has been shown and gescribed herein as-bei-ng -eiiibbdid in a manually operable pedal -actuated siifiiteh having four fixed contacts I'B anda -l-ikenuithi3er 6f movable "contacts l8, eachpairof which ai'e oarried lay one of the rods 1 9, it should-be ole r-lyfapparent that the invention may -be-si rnii "utilized with an assemblage wherein-agreateresser ritimberof fixed and movable contacts-and =one =ormore carrier roasts are provided.

It should be understood that it is not desired to limit this invention to the exact details of construction or to the precise mode of use, herein shown and described, for various modifications within the scope of the claims may occur to persons skilled in the art to which this invention pertains.

We claim:

1. A switch assemblage comprising, a casing contacts having its medial portion fulcrumed di- I rectly on said wall along the bottom edge of said slot, said lever having one end thereof disposed within said casing and cooperable with said movable contacts and the opposite end disposed exteriorly of said casing, and a locking plate cooperable with said lever adjacent the fulcrum edge for preventing displacement of said lever portion from within said slot, said plate being independently removable transversely of said lever to permit withdrawal of said lever from within said slot. v

2. A switch assemblage comprising, a casing having a wall provided with a slot having a bottom edge, a switch mounted upon said casing adjacent to said wall and having fixed and movable contacts, an actuating lever for said movable contacts having its medial portion fulcrumed directly on said wall along the bottom edge of said slot, said lever having one end thereof disposed within said casing and cooperable with said movable contacts and the opposite end disposed exteriorly of said casing, a locking plate cooperable with said lever adjacent the fulcrum edge for preventing displacement of said lever portion from within said slot, said locking plate having an upper flange, and a cover cooperable with said casing to enclose sai'd :switch, said cover being detacha'bly secured tothe flange ofa'said locking plate to maintain the same in position on said casing. '3.A switch 'assemblag'epomprising, a casing having a wall provided with a slot having a bottom edge, a, switch mounted upon said casing adjacent to said wall and-having fixed and movable contacts, an actuating lever for said movablecontacts having its medial portion fulcrumed directly :on said wall along the bottom edge of said'slot, said lever having-anotch formed therein adjacent the fulcrum portion thereof and having oneend thereof disposed within said casing and cooperable with said movable contacts and the opposite end disposed exterior-1y of said casing, and locking means cooperable with the notch in said lever for preventing 'displacement of said lever portion from within said slot, said locking means being independently removable trans'versely of-said lever to permit withdrawal of said lever from within said slot.

4. A switch assemblage comprising, a casing having a wall provided witha slot having a bot- 1 able contacts and the opposite end =dispdsed exteriorly of said casing, and saslockingruplate having spaced prongs cooperable with thenotche's in said lever for preventing displacement of said lever portion from within said slot, said plate being independently removable transversely of said lever to permit withdrawal of said lever from within said slot.

5. A switch assemblage comprising, a casing having a wall provided with a slot having a bottom edge, a switch mounted upon said casing adjacent to said wall and having fixed and movable contacts, an actuating lever for said movable contacts having its medial portion fulcrumed directly on said wall along the bottom edge of said slot, said lever having laterally projecting ears forming side notches therein adjacent the fulcrum portion thereof and being freely longitudinally insertible through said slot past said ears, and means insertible within said notches between the ears of said lever and the fulcrum edge and cooperable with said wall and the ears of said lever for preventing displacement of said lever portion from within said slot.

6. A switch assemblage comprising, a casing having a wall provided with a slot having a bottom edge, a switch mounted upon said casing adjacent to said wall and having fixed and movable contacts, an actuating lever for said movable contacts having its medial portion fulcrumed directly on said Wall along the bottom edge of said slot with one end thereof disposed within said casing and cooperable with said movable contacts and the opposite end disposed exteriorly of said casing, said lever having shoulders formed by the outwardly extending portion thereof adjacent the fulcrum portion and having the inwardly extending portion thereof of reduced width and provided with lateral projections adjacent the fulcrum portion, the shoulders and projections cooperating with the fulcrum portion to form notches, and means independently removable transversely of said lever and cooperable with said notches for preventing displacement of said lever from within said slot.

7. A switch assemblage comprising, a casing having a wall provided with a slot having a bottom edge, said slot being formed with an arcuate portion, a, switch mounted upon said casing adjacent to said wall and having fixed and movable contacts, an actuating lever for said movable contacts having its medial portion fulcrumed directly on said wall along the bottom edge of said slot, said lever being longitudinally removable from said slot and having a rib cooperable with the arcuate portion of said slot for guiding the same during removal and. insertion thereof, and a locking plate cooperable with said lever adjacent the fulcrum edge for preventing displacement of said lever portion from within said slot, said plate being independently removable transversely of said lever to permit withdrawal of said lever from within said slot.

8. A switch assemblage comprising, a casing having a wall provided with a slot, a switch mounted upon said casing adjacent to said wall and havin fixed and movable contacts, said movable contacts being carried by a rod provided with an abutment, an actuating lever having its medial portion fulcrumed in said slot and its inner end cooperable with the abutment of said contact carrier rod, a spring cooperable with said rod to constantly urge said rod and the contacts carried thereby toward said fixed contacts, and a stronger spring cooperable with said lever adjacent the inner end thereof to constantly urge said rod and the contacts carried thereby away from said fixed contacts.

9. A switch assemblage comprising, a casing having a wall provided with a. slot, a switch mounted upon said casing adjacent to said wall and having fixed and movable contacts, said movable contacts being carried by a rod formed with an abutment and movable toward and away from said fixed contacts, means for guiding said rod during movement thereof, an actuating lever having its medial portion fulcrumed in said slot and its inner end cooperable with the abutment of said contact carrier rod, a spring cooperable with said rod to constantly urge said rod and the contacts carried thereby toward said fixed contacts, and a stronger spring cooperable with the guide means for said rod and with said lever to constantly urge said rod and the contacts carried thereby away from said fixed contacts.

WILLIAM C. FURNAS. EDWIN B. SCHUMACHER.

' REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,031,191 Lundgren July 2, 1912 1,390,515 Ehrenfeld et al. Sept. 13, 1921 1,403,222 Anderson Jan. 10, 1922 1,644,820 Driver Oct. 11, 1927 1,706,518 Blough Mar. 26, 1929 1,778,097 Wachsman Oct. 14, 1930 2,148,872 Nicholas Feb. 28, 1939 2,313,166 Nicholas Mar. 9, 1943 2,335,283 Johnson Nov. 30, 1943 

